Art is manifest in many forms, and this is perfectly demonstrated by the evolution of the modern sports car. Naturally, certain models incorporate greater levels of artistic merit and obtain iconic status; among this elite group of vehicles is the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. The classic lines of the body and the understated beauty of the original form has attracted numerous artists, including Pablo Picasso, to own one of these extraordinary vehicles. The same attraction was a source of inspiration for the award winning Swiss artist, Dante.

Introduced at the 1954 New York car show, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe was the first road car to feature fuel-injection, having been developed from the highly successful competition car the company had produced two years earlier. However, the elegant styling of the body and the distinctive Gullwing doors, which hinged in the roof, were the main attractions. These features were enhanced by the fact that only twenty-nine cars were produced with a lighter aluminium body,  the vast majority of the production vehicles being made of steel, with only the bonnet, doors and boot lid being sculpted from aluminium. The ensemble created one of the most iconic cars to have graced the automobile world.

The ability to create is limited only by an artist’s imagination, and for Dante the appeal of producing a series of sculptures based on the legendary sports car was immediately apparent. Subsequently, a stunning range with the iconic sports car as its central theme has been developed. The latest addition is a quarter scale, 1:4, interpretation of the vehicle, which captures the very essence of the design and the ethos of the period. Finished in galvanised gold to 50g, and mounted on a luxurious piano black finished plinth complete with LED light system, the sculpture is an ideal addition to any private art collection; while the inherent value as an investment is also assured, as the 1:4 scale sculpture is limited to a maximum of ten pieces worldwide.

Specifications:
- 1:4 scale sculpture of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sports coupe
- Finished in galvanised gold to 50g (other finishes available upon request)
- Supplied with a stylish display plinth including a complimentary light system
- Limited Edition with a maximum of ten pieces being produced worldwide
- Size: 1090mm x 490mm x 395mm
- Weight: 15kg
- Price: CHF150,000. (Price excludes delivery and any import duty levied)

To view a gallery of photographs showing the creation the 1:4 scale sculpture of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, click here.

To ensure that the new series of sculptures was promoted internationally, in June 2009 Dante attended a special launch in London organised by his agent in the United Kingdom, Clive Sutton. A half scale, 1:2, sculpture of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was placed in the centre of the stage, as Dante enthralled a host of specially invited VIP guests and members of the British media, including the Indian businessman Gautam Singhania, Chairman of the Raymond Group, and Rone de Beauvoir, the founder of Joy Luxe, the Christian lifestyle television network based in the United States.

The half scale, 1:2, sculpture on show was hand-finished in white gold leaf and mounted on a robust and attractive display plinth, supplied complete with remote control handset and adjustable light system, so as to change the settings and to alter the ambience. The audience were as one in agreeing that the general effect extraordinary, and as with each of the sculptures in the series, the value of the half scale, 1:2, version is enhanced by the fact that it is a limited edition piece, with only five sculptures being created worldwide.

Specifications:
- 1:2 scale sculpture of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sports coupe
- Precision handcrafted and hand-finished in sumptuous white gold leaf
- Mounted on an attractive plinth incorporating a remote control light system
- Limited Edition with a maximum of five pieces being produced worldwide
- Size: 2290mm x 900mm x 1360mm
- Weight: 100kg
- Price: CHF600,000. (Price excludes delivery and any import duty levied)

- 1:1 scale sculpture of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sports coupe
- Meticulously handcrafted to the highest standards and finished in platinum
- Complete with a dedicated display plinth incorporating a full light system
- Limited Edition masterpiece only available by invitation from the artist
- Size: 4790mm x 1990mm x 1530mm
- Weight: 400kg
- Price: CHF1,500,000. (Price excludes delivery and any import duty levied)

For further information on the series of sculptures available exclusively through Clive Sutton in the United Kingdom, click here.